KCET 2026 Eligibility Criteria, Check Age Limit & Other Qualifications

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) will release the KCET 2026 eligibility criteria along with the official notification. Candidates must check all the conditions carefully before applying. The eligibility criteria include academic qualifications, domicile rules, and nationality requirements.

KCET is conducted for admission to professional courses such as Engineering, Agriculture, Veterinary, Pharmacy, Nursing, and Naturopathy & Yoga in Karnataka.

KCET 2026 Eligibility Overview

• Applicants must be Indian citizens.
• Candidates from the Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) are not eligible.
• Students awaiting 12th or 2nd PUC results can apply.
• The eligibility varies for each course based on educational background.

KCET 2026 Academic Qualification

Candidates should meet the course-wise academic qualifications mentioned below.

KCET 2026 Domicile Criteria

Candidates must fulfil domicile requirements to claim government seats in Karnataka. The applicant or their parents should have studied or resided in Karnataka as per KEA clauses (A to O).

Key Domicile Rules:

• The candidate must have studied in Karnataka for at least seven years between Class 1 and 12.
• Those whose parents have studied or worked in Karnataka are also eligible under specific clauses.
• Candidates from Kannada-speaking areas of Maharashtra and Kerala can apply after passing a Kannada language test.
• Children of defence personnel, government employees, MPs, or ex-servicemen from Karnataka can claim eligibility under special categories.
• Jammu & Kashmiri migrants and Kannada medium students studying outside Karnataka are also eligible under certain conditions.

KCET 2026 Nationality

• Only Indian citizens are eligible to apply.
• Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) may also be allowed as per KEA rules.

Note: Candidates must verify their eligibility with valid documents such as study certificates, domicile certificates, caste certificates, or defence service records before filling out the application form.